'Frankie' - A new Bristol-based BBC One drama series

Eve Myles (Torchwood, Baker Boys) will play the title role in Frankie, a new six-part series created and written by Lucy Gannon (The Best Of Men, Soldier Soldier) and produced by BBC Drama Production for BBC One.

Frankie is a modern and redemptive take on the life and work of a dedicated district nurse whose patients matter more to her than her personal life. A heroine for the modern age, Frankie Maddox (Myles) looks life and death in the eye; her mission is to make a difference. She cares about her patients and their families but never turns into a busybody, knowing that, at the end, what everyone wants is a calm friend who is on the side of the patient not the institution.

Filmed and set in Bristol, the series follows Frankie and her team as they visit their patients at home, and takes a look at ordinary lives which are often in huge domestic crises. The nurses like their work, it may infuriate, frustrate and even bore them at times, but they turn up day in and day out and wouldn’t choose to do anything else.

This heart-warming, funny and aspirational series aims to build up a portrayal of the challenging, complex and ultimately life affirming world of district nursing.

Eve Myles says: “This is an incredible leading part for a female. It’s tremendous pressure but also tremendously exciting. I can’t wait to step into Frankie’s shoes and get on set. I’m desperate to start. Frankie is an infectious character, she’s electric, quirky, wonderful at her job and adapts to every situation. She’s a vibrant woman trying to live life in the fast lane and juggle a job. Lucy Gannon is an incredible writer and writes relationships so beautifully.”

Joining the cast are Dean Lennox Kelly (Moving On, Married Single Other) as Frankie’s long term boyfriend Ian, and Derek Riddell (Five Days, Garrow’s Law), her confidant and team member Andy.

Lucy Gannon says: “I’m thrilled to be writing about strong modern people, people you and I might know, in our real life communities, a team of lively, varied people who all - whatever their flaws, are determined to make a difference, to make life better.”

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning, says: “Following the stunning performance of Lucy Gannon's BBC Two film The Best Of Men, Frankie is Lucy's new series for BBC One with all of the wit, heart and warmth that you expect from her truthful, life-like writing.”

The 6x60-minute drama has started filming in Bristol for a Spring 2013 transmission, and is part of a raft of commissions by Danny Cohen, BBC One Controller and Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning, to demonstrate the range and creative ambition of BBC Drama Production.